FEELING PREMIERE-Y Ahhh...can you smell the magic that is in the air? We have reached that miraculous time of the year when everything and anything is possible. I mean, summer is great. Winter and spring have their perks. But it is the fall that holds my heart. Why, you ask? Or maybe you don’t because you can tell by the contents of this little guide. Fall holds in its delicate hands, the promise of new shows and the high hopes that last season’s standouts can avoid the pitfalls of a sophomore slump. I mean, who would have thought Ichabod Crane would be resurrected into a hit? Practically a miracle. James Spader channeling his inner badboy? Top of the list to you, fine sir. And this year seems to offer no lack of watchable moments, though some might not be for the right reasons... But enough with this banter, let’s get on with the show. In the following pages you will find a brief glimpse at each of the new shows along with a complete (by my best efforts) calendar of all the premiere dates for new AND returning shows. I hope you enjoy!
THURSDAY, SEPT. 25 // 10 P.M.
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER
O
ne of the most talked about shows of the fall season is probably going to be one of the most watchable. Why exactly is that? Four words: Oscar. Nominee. Viola. Davis. She brings an elegant level of gravitas to a genre of show we have all seen so much of. Her voice alone could make me watch. When she pounds her chalk into the blackboard and says the title…chills. And with executive producer extraordinaire, Shonda Rhimes, at the helm, you can bet on some truly shocking moments. With long-running medical dramedy Grey’s Anatomy to the how-many-cliff-hangers-can-wehave-in-one-season political thriller Scandal, Rhimes is making history by producing a full night of TV. Thursdays are now Shondaland.
But back to Murder. What should you expect? Some Law – Davis plays an attorney and law professor with some edge. A bit of sex – Davis’ students will be doing a lot more than just dropping off some legal briefs. And, of course, murder – the season opens with the law students getting rid of a body in the woods. Yep. That’s just the beginning. So, set your DVRs, get your Twitter ready and prepare of some edge-of your-seat-action. Oh, and if you’re worried it might be too much, don’t be - this season will only feature 15 episodes so there is plenty of time to catch up on other shows later.
MON
TUES
WEDS
8:00 p.m. dancing with
selfie
the middle
8:30 p.m.
manhattan love story
the goldbergs
9:00 p.m.
marvel’s agents of s.h.i.e.l.d.
modern family
forever
nashville
the stars
9:30 p.m.
10:00 p.m castle
THURS grey’s anatomy
FRI last man standing
SUN once upon a time
cristela scandal
shark tank
resurrection
black-ish how to get away 20/20 with murder
revenge
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24 // 9:30 P.M.
BLACK-ISH Anthony Anderson can be funny. He can also be a little much. But this sitcom takes a look at how culture, and even ethnic identity, shifts in the modern age. Yeah, that sounds pretty deep but it promises to be more in line with Modern Family and The Cosby Show. Anderson is also pulling in the talent, starring as his wife Rainbow (seriously) is Diana Ross’s daughter Tracee Ellis Ross and his father is played by none other than Laurence Fishburne. There are sure to be some good laughs and plenty of punch as this modern African American family figures out all the ish that makes up life.
FOREVER MONDAY, SEPT. 23 // 10 P.M. It’s basically Groundhog Day with death. Join medical examiner (Ringer’s Ioan Gruffudd) as he tries to figure out why every time he dies he wakes up naked in water. Only thing... from what I hear, this show feels like it goes on for...well, forever. And not in a good way.
SELFIE TUESDAY, SEPT. 30 // 8 P.M. My Fair Lady with a social media twist. It has some potential with the zany chemistry between the darling Brit Karen Gillan as Eliza Dooley and her marketing maven Henry (John Cho). It’s a lighthearted look at how just because you have “friends” online doesn’t mean you actually have friends.
MANHATTAN LOVE STORY TUESDAY, SEPT. 30 // 8:30 P.M. We all know that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, and here is the proof. Get inside the heads of two young singles who are living the dating life in New York City. It looks sweet... but I don’t give it much of a chance to find love.
CRISTELA FRI. OCT. 10 // 8:30 P.M. Take some time to get to know comedian Cristela Alonzo in this semiautobiographical sitcom about a legal intern who is trying to balance living at home and being a “grown-up.”
SUNDAY, SEPT. 21 // 10 P.M.
MADAME SECRETARY Tia Leoni is bringing the power as she portrays an ex-CIA analyst who is selected to step in as Secretary of State. And with that power comes the epic quest of creating balance between her job, her husband (Tim Daly) and teenage children. I see potential, but mainly thanks to its night companion The Good Wife.
As the youngest (and gay) son of a sports-loving family decides to move away from home, the patriarch pulls out all the stops to keep that from happening.
When in doubt make another series. This spin-off of the high-rated NCIS stars Scott Bakula as he and his team take on the Big Easy.
SCORPION MON. SEPT. 22 // 9 P.M.
NCIS: NEW ORLEANS TUES. SEPT. 23 // 9 P.M.
Inspired by a true story, take an adrenaline ride on the high-octane life of an eccentric genius and his band of nerd misfits. Does this have the sting to make it sing? Guess you’ll have to watch and see...
9:00 p.m. scorpion
STALKER
McCARTHYS
WEDS. OCT. 1 // 10 P.M.
THURS. OCT. 30 // 9:30 P.M.
Lock your door and turn on all your lights because CBS is hiking up the creepy quotient with this show about...stalkers. Starring the too good-looking for their own good Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott.
MON 8:00 p.m. big bang theory 8:30 p.m. mom
THE
TUES ncis
WEDS survivor
THURS big bang theory
FRI amazing race
madame secretary
hawaii five-o
the good wife
20/20
csi
the millers ncis: new orleans
criminal minds
9:30 p.m.
two and half men
SUN
the mccarthys
10:00 p.m ncis: los angeles person of interest
stalker
elementary
MONDAY, OCT. 13 // 9 P.M.
JANE THE VIRGIN If someone were to ask me what show I am most excited about this season, I would have to admit it is Jane the Virgin.
The endearing lead brings such heart to the show that it keeps the storyline grounded and real while also striking a balance of absurd and normal. You not only root for the virtuous Jane but you want to be her friend. Better yet, they don’t harp on the gimmick of her virginity and even the telenovelaness feels joyful and entertaining. A premise that could fall into the trap of predictability is refreshed with unexpected twists and leaves you wanting more and more.
TUESDAY, OCT. 7 // 8 P.M.
THE FLASH
that not only does he have abs (if only sleeping did that for everyone...) but he is also faster than... well, a flash!
Where Arrow has a certain weight and seriousness to it, The Flash feels a bit more quintessentially comic Things are getting super in Central without going over the top. City. This Arrow spin-off has more Gustin brings the ideal blend of than just tights going for it. awe and shock to having newfound When we last saw the overly- powers. And while it has all the glitz enthusiastic Barry Allen (played of a superhero show, it never gets too by Glee’s Grant Gustin) , he was flashy. It is sort of like returning to the getting struck by some uber-charged golden era of Superman’s Smallville lightning and ending up in a coma. but without those awkward high Ouch. When he finally wakes he finds school years.
MON 8:00 p.m. the originals 8:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. jane the virgin 9:30 p.m.
TUES
WEDS
THURS
FRI
the flash
arrow
the vampire diaries
whose line is it anyway?
supernatural
the 100
reign
next top model
MONDAY, SEPT. 22 // 8 P.M.
GOTHAM Once upon a time there was a city in turmoil. The caped crusader who would come to the rescue is but a lad just starting on his journey and the man who would be his partner-inarms has just taken up his badge.
MON
As one of the highlights of the fall season, this dark crime drama acts as the origin story more for Batman’s Commissioner Gordon than the masked marvel himself. Currently, just a rookie detective, we join Gordon (played by The O.C.’s Ben McKenzie) as he and his not-sostraightlaced partner fight the rise of crime in dear Gotham City. Gotham explores the gray areas between right and wrong as it
TUES
8:00 p.m. gotham 8:30 p.m.
utopia
9:00 p.m. sleepy hallow 9:30 p.m.
new girl the mindy project
WEDS hell’s kitchen
red band society
sketches out and revels in the evolution of iconic heroes and the villains who loath them. Each season plans on taking the viewer through the growth of a single villain but that doesn’t mean some of the others won’t be present. This season alone we will see the beginnings of the Penguin, the Riddler and everyone’s favorite not-so-furry friend, Catwoman.
THURS bones
gracepoint
FRI
SUN
master chef junior
the simpson
utopia
family guy
brooklyn nine-nine mulaney
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17 // 9 P.M.
RED BAND SOCIETY If you’re looking for a show to tug on your heartstrings this fall this just might be THE show for you. Entertainment Weekly refers to it as “The Fault in Our Stars meets The Breakfast Club.” Take a bunch of teens from every walk of life, give them all life-threatening illnesses and put them together in a stateof-the-art pediatric wing of a truly gorgeous hospital. Oh, then toss in a grumpy nurse with an undercover heart of gold (played marvelously by Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer), a world-class surgeon (Brothers & Sisters’ Dave Annabel) and a pot-head hypochondriac and we’ve got a real party! The whole season will take place over a few weeks time all being narrated by a young coma patient. Bring tissues.
THURSDAY, OCT. 2 // 9 P.M.
GRACEPOINT Thursday has obviously become the night for murder. Between How to Get Away with Murder and Gracepoint there will plenty of overarching mysteries to keep your attention this season. This Brit-port, a remake on the BBC’s Broadchurch, takes place as a small coastal California town deals with the murder of a young boy. While it features the same lead actor (Doctor Who’s David Tennant) it is not an exact recreation. They have taken care to change the killer and add a few new characters so those who had a chance to see the brilliant Broadchurch won’t have the ending spoiled for them. So get swept away with this 10-episode event and find out what all the fuss is about.
SUNDAY, OCT. 5 // 9:30 P.M.
MULANEY Can the Saturday Night Live writer John Mulaney bring us Seinfeld 2.0? It might be something of a stretch, but you never know... It isn’t quite fair to make that comparison when the only real similarities are that he is a stand-up comedian who does comedy sets to help move the show along, has crazy neighbors and has a single female counterpart... hmm... Anyway, Mulaney stars as a version of himself. He is a comedian trying to make a living and balance life while working for an show-biz legend (played by Martin Short). Will it hit the right notes? Only time will tell, but I’m not setting a season’s pass just yet.
MONDAY, NOV. 17 // 10 P.M.
STATE OF AFFAIRS Katherine Heigl is no stranger to scandal. She left Grey’s Anatomy not long after she removed herself from being considered for an Emmy saying that the quality of the writing was such that she didn’t deserve to be
MON 8:00 p.m. the voice 8:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
10:00 p.m the blacklist
in the running. Way to bite the hand that made you a household name. What would Denny think?
With the distant shadow of that over her television career, she is returning to the small screen as a CIA analyst and presidential briefer with a kick-ass name: Charleston “Charlie” Tucker. The woman she calls “Madame President” (who she almost called “mom”) is none other than the glorious Alfre Woodard. Yes, not only is the most powerful woman
TUES
WEDS
THURS
the voice
the mysteries of laura
marry me
law & order: svu bad judge
about a boy chicago fire
the biggest loser
in the world her boss, but she was about to be married to the President’s son. That is until he was killed in a terrorist attack that Charlie survived. Now responsible for the President’s Daily Briefing, she compiles the most pressing information for the country’s Commander-in-Chief. All the while trying to figure out who was responsible for her fiancé’s murder. Nothing like multi-tasking.
FRI dateline grimm
a to z chicago p.d.
parenthood
constantine
SUN sunday night football
THURSDAY, OCT. 2 // 9 P.M.
BAD JUDGE Kate Walsh (Private Practice, Grey’s Anatomy, Fargo) stars as a respected LA judge who likes to play by her own rules. Those rules usually include lots of drinking, sleeping around and playing the drums in a band with her best friend. Totally the type of person you’d want to decide your fate when you have a day in court. I am glad to see Walsh in a role that is lighter in fare than what we have typically seen from her. She has some good comedy chops and I look forward to seeing how she flexes them in this role. That said, when I first heard about it, I was sure it was going to be an hour dramedy. Here’s hoping her honor gets a just sentence. THURSDAY, OCT. 2 // 9:30 P.M.
A TO Z This is a story about love from Andrew to Zelda. (Get it?) It has some shades of (500) Days of Summer but with a touch of How I Met Your Mother. Andrew is a romantic a heart. He works for an online dating site and finds joy in belting out “I Will Always Love You” while driving. Zelda, on the other hand, is a tough lawyer who’s hippy mother has driven her to being the complete opposite. The word “fate” gives her hives while it resonates in his very being. There is plenty of meetcute and quality chemistry from the two leads (Man Men’s Ben Feldman and Cristin Milioti also known as the mother of How I Met Your Mother) and it does have some potential to grow. That said, I wonder what happens once you finally get to the end of the alphabet...
TUESDAY, OCT. 14 // 9:00 P.M.
MARRY ME Will it be a Happy Ending for Annie (Casey Wilson) and Jake (Ken Marino of pretty much everything)? They have been dating for six years and after a series of unfortunate (but chuckle worthy) events they have finally decided to tie the knot. But don’t expect a smooth road to the alter. Where’s the fun in that? While I am not completely sold on the concept, I am a huge fan of both the leads. Wilson was nothing short of fantastic as Penny on the gone-too-soon comedy Happy Endings and I have alway found Marino simultaneously repelling and entertaining. I’m hoping for a long engagement.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17 // 8 P.M.
MYSTERIES OF LAURA
the
It is a mystery that TV hasn’t found the perfect fit to replace Debra Messing’s breakout role as a gay-man’s best friend in Will & Grace. Smash was... well, let’s just say it didn’t hit quite the right note. Now with Mysteries of Laura she takes another path as mom of devilish twin boys, soon-to-be ex wife of a perpetual man-boy and a rocking homicide detective. The show does strike a reasonable balance between work and home-life, but it is a little heavy-handed with the kid jokes. That said the pilot left me more than a little intrigued as to what else is up her trench coat sleeve.
FRIDAY, OCT. 24 // 10 P.M.
CONSTANTINE Remember the 2005 film starring Keanu Reeves? Yeah, this isn’t it. Though based on the same Hellblazer comic book series, this Constantine has a bit more bite with his lack of super-human strength. Similar to NBC’s Grimm, Constantine finds himself fighting against the powers of evil to not only save the world but potentially save his soul (which has already been damned to hell). Will he succeed? Who knows, but there should be some good fights along the way.
UTOPIA
8 P.M. // FOX
BOARDWALK EMPIRE
9 P.M. // HBO
TUES = 9/9
SONS of ANARCHY
10 P.M. // FX
WEDS = 9/10
HELLS KITCHEN
8 P.M. // FOX
THURS = 9/11
the BIGGEST LOSER 8 P.M. // NBC
HAVEN
10 P.M. // SYFY
FRI = 9/12 Z NATION
10 P.M. // SYFY
SUN = 9/14
the ROOSEVELTS 8 P.M. // PBS
AMERICAN DAD
8 P.M. // FOX
MON = 9/15
DANCING with the STARS 8 P.M. // ABC
TUES = 9/16 NEW GIRL
SUN = 9/21 MADAME SECRETARY
10 P.M. // ABC
10 P.M. // ABC
MON = 9/22
10 P.M. // ABC
10 P.M. // CBS
9 P.M. // CBS
the BIG BANG THEORY 8 P.M. // CBS
for BETTER or WORSE 9 P.M. // OWN
MYSTERIES of LAURA 10 P.M. // NBC
MAKING A SCENE with JAMES FRANCO STREAMING // AOL
CHICAGO P.D. KEY & PEELE
10:30 P.M. // COMEDY CENTRAL
REVENGE CSI
MON = 9/29 MOM
THURS = 9/25
8 P.M. // CBS
8 P.M. // NBC
8 P.M. // ABC
10 P.M. // ABC
8 P.M. // FOX
8 P.M. // FOX
10 P.M. // CBS
9 P.M. // CBS
9 P.M. // ABC
the VOICE GOTHAM SCORPION SLEEPY HOLLOW
9 P.M. // NBC
FOREVER
10 P.M. // ABC
the BLACKLIST 10 P.M. // NBC
TUES = 9/23
GREY’S ANATOMY BONES
SCANDAL
HOW to GET AWAY with MURDER 10 P.M. // ABC
TRANSPARENT
9 P.M. // ABC
8 P.M. // CBS
9 P.M. // CBS
PERSON of INTEREST
10 P.M. // CBS
CHICAGO FIRE AWKWARD
WEDS = 9/24
SHARK TANK
the AMAZING RACE HAWAII FIVE-0
9 P.M. // CBS
20/20
10 P.M. // ABC
BLUE BLOODS
10 P.M. // CBS
SAT = 9/27 SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
11:30 // NBC
SURVIVOR
SUN = 9/28
the MIDDLE
8 P.M. // ABC
the GOLDBERGS
8 P.M. // FOX
8 P.M. // CBS
8 P.M. // ABC
8:30 P.M. // ABC
MODERN FAMILY
ONCE UPON A TIME
the SIMPSONS BROOKLYN NINE-NINE
9 P.M. // ABC
8:30 P.M. // FOX
9 P.M. // NBC
9 P.M. // ABC
LAW & ORDER: SVU
SELFIE
8 P.M. // ABC
MANHATTAN LOVE STORY
11 P.M. // MTV
8 P.M. // ABC
NCIS: NEW ORLEANS
TUES = 9/30
FRI = 9/26
AGENTS of
S.H.I.E.L.D
NCIS: LA
8:30 P.M. // ABC
STREAMING // AMAZON
8 P.M. // CBS
CASTLE
PARENTHOOD
10 P.M. // NBC
NCIS
10 P.M. // MTV
9 P.M. // FOX
NASHVILLE
RESURRECTION
cont .
FAMILY GUY
the GOOD WIFE
8:30 P.M. // FOX
RED BAND SOCIETY
SUN = 9/28 9 P.M. // FOX
10 P.M. // NBC
WEDS = 9/17
cont .
BLACK-ISH
9:30 P.M. // ABC
8 P.M. // CBS
8 P.M. // FOX
the MINDY PROJECT
WEDS = 9/24
HAPPYLAND
OCTOBER
SUN = 9/7
WEDS = 10/1 CRIMINAL MINDS
WEDS = 10/8 ARROW
8 P.M. // CW
10 P.M. // CBS
9 P.M. // DIRECTV
PROJECT RUNWAY: ALL STARS
KINGDOM
9 P.M. // LIFETIME
american horror story: FREAK SHOW
9 P.M. // NBC
8 P.M. // CW
FRI = 10/10
FRI = 10/10
9 P.M. // CW
8:30 P.M. // ABC
STALKER
THURS = 10/2
the VAMPIRE DIARIES REIGN
10 P.M. // FX
CRISTELA
GRIMM
CONSTANTINE
10 P.M. // NBC
DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY
UGANDA BE KIDDING ME
9 P.M. // PBS
9 P.M. // NBC
SUN = 10/12
THURS = 10/30
9:30 P.M. // NBC
the WALKING DEAD
GRACEPOINT
9 P.M. // FOX
BAD JUDGE A TO Z
FRI = 10/3 LAST MAN STANDING
8 P.M. // ABC
ON THE MENU
9 P.M. // TNT
SAT = 10/4 SURVIVOR’S REMORSE
9 P.M. // STARZ
SUN = 10/5
AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS
7 P.M. // ABC
BOB’S BURGERS
7:30 P.M. // FOX
STREAMING // NETFLIX
9 P.M. // AMC
the AFFAIR
10 P.M. // SHOWTIME
MON = 10/13
JANE the VIRGIN
9 P.M. // CW
SHAHS of SUNSET
9 P.M. // BRAVO
TUES = 10/7 the FLASH 8 P.M. // CW
SUPERNATURAL
9 P.M. // CW
NAIL’D IT!
9 P.M. // OXYGEN
TOWN of the LIVING DEAD
10 P.M. // SYFY
the McCARTHYS 9:30 P.M. // CBS
ELEMENTARY
10 P.M. // CBS
CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST
10 P.M. // USA
TRANSPORTER: the series
ARE YOU THE ONE?
9 P.M. // CBS
ABOUT a BOY
MON = 10/6
10 P.M. // MTV
TWO and a HALF MEN
9:30 P.M. // NBC
10 P.M. // BRAVO
8 P.M. // CW
8:30 P.M. // CBS
MARRY ME
MULANEY
the ORIGINALS
the MILLERS
9 P.M. // NBC
WEDS = 10/15
9:30 P.M. // FOX
9 P.M. // CBS
TUES = 10/14
HOMELAND
9 P.M. // SHOWTIME
2 BROKE GIRLS
NOVEMBER
9 P.M. // CBS
FRI = 10/24
TOP CHEF
SAT = 10/16 9 P.M. // TNT
TUES = 10/21 FREAK OUT
9 P.M. // ABC FAMILY
WEDS = 10/22 the 100
9 P.M. // CW
WEB THERAPY
11 P.M. // SHOWTIME
WEDS = 11/5
HOT in CLEVELAND
8 P.M. // TV LAND
THURS = 11/6
WHITE COLLAR
9 P.M. // USA
COVERT AFFAIRS
10 P.M. // USA
FRI = 11/7
MASTERCHEF JUNIOR
8 P.M. // FOX
SUN = 11/9
the NEWSROOM 9 P.M. // HBO
the COMEBACK 10 P.M. // HBO
SAT = 11/15 the MISSING 9 P.M. // STARZ
MON = 11/17
STATE of AFFAIRS
10 P.M. // NBC
MON = 11/24 ASCENSION
9 P.M. // SYFY
BEST BETS: When all is said and done here are the new shows I am most looking forward to in the coming months:
RED BAND SOCIETY // Wednesday 9/17 @ 9 P.M. on FOX GOTHAM // Monday 9/22 @ 8 P.M. on FOX HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER // Thursday 9/25 @ 10 P.M. on ABC GRACEPOINT // THursday 10/2 @ 9 P.M. on FOX THE FLASH // Tuesday 10/7 @ 8 P.M. on CW JANE THE VIRGIN // Monday 10/13 @ 9 P.M. on CW
WHAT’S ON YOUR WATCHLIST?